Review of The Book of Shadows Tarot, volume 1: As Above

The Book of Shadows Tarot is the first deck in a two deck set. Each deck is designed to work on its own as well as in tandem with its partner deck. This volume, As Above, is a unique deck using the structure of Tarot to explore the beliefs of the Pagan worldview. It is both a teaching deck as well as a powerful and insightful divinatory tool.

In-Depth Review

Because this is a rather special deck and because I created it, this review will be a little different, a little more personal.

In 2008 I spent some time in Italy with the good folks at Lo Scarabeo. They asked me to create a deck, or rather a pair of decks. The set was to be called The Book of Shadows Tarot and was to be comprised of two separate decks. Beyond that, they had no requirements. I was free to do whatever I wished within that framework.

A key spiritual belief of mine is: As Above, So Below, so I decided to use that as my organizing theme. The first deck, As Above, is a non-RWS deck that represents the theory and teachings of Wicca. The second deck, So Below, is a RWS-based deck that shows how the magic of Wicca (for I believe that all of Wicca is Magic…although not necessarily the same as Witchcraft) is experienced by Wiccans in every day life.

Creating the first deck was a huge challenge. I worked within the structure of the Major Arcana and for suits with 14 cards each. I kept the archetypal core meanings of the Majors fairly closely to RWS. The Minor Arcana, however, are not at all related to the RWS. For all of those who say all I make are RWS clones, well, here is my best effort at something completely uniquely mine.

As Above, So Below is a Tarot deck designed to hold and express modern Pagan spiritual teachings. Pagan beliefs are broad and hardly unified, but we will discuss that momentarily. The Major Arcana cards represent some of the basic tenets while the Minor Arcana thoroughly explores elemental energies while providing foundations for further studies in the areas of astrology, the faces of the Goddess, the magic of the physical realm, and various forms of divination. Because each card is a portal into vast realms of knowledge and experience and because space in this book is limited, each section includes a reading list of excellent texts for further studies.

Here, I'll introduce you to some of the things I like best about the deck. The first is Key V. In traditional Tarot it is called The Hierophant, and in some Pagan decks, The High Priest. I call it The Book of Shadows, a book where Wiccans writedown their tradition, which is an ever-evolving experience—always growing, always changing, always dynamic.

Early on in the Tarot's history, the Major Arcana cards were not numbered. However, we are now quite accustomed to putting numbers on these cards. This provides a number of benefits. For example, many readers like to incorporate numerology into their readings. Others consider the numerical sequence as a variation on the Hero's Journey (a concept popularized by Joseph Campbell and, in Tarot circles, is called the Fool's Journey, a phrase first used by Eden Gray). As for me, I think one of the most practical aspects is so that beginners can easily find the card they are looking up as they first learn Tarot. Mundane, perhaps, but from a beginner's standpoint, it is very much appreciated.

Following this useful tradition, the Major Arcana cards in this deck are indeed numbered. However, the Major Arcana cards are in groups that do not relate to the numbers printed on them. Instead, they are divided into different classifications that illustrate various aspects of Pagan beliefs.

The Major Arcana cards in this deck follow the archetypal ideas expressed in traditional Tarot decks but express them from a Pagan point of view. In this way, the deck becomes an educational tool that a beginner can use to form a foundation for further studies. It is also an excellent reading deck that will resonate with the Pagan soul.

The first five cards represent very basic core beliefs. These are the essential aspects upon which all else is built. These include The God, the Goddess, the World, the Elements, and the Summerlands.

The second section includes the Wheel of the Year and eight astrological wisdom. The suit of Water balances the mostly masculine energy of the planets with various faces of the Goddess. The suit of Air explores different methods of accessing Divine wisdom and guidance through various divinatory methods. The suit of Earth reveals magical sources found on our planet.

The third group consists of the tools and experiences of the practicing pagan, such as initiation, Book of Shadows, and spellcasting.

In fact, here are all the Majors in their groupings listed by their traditional names and their BOS names in parentheses:

1. A Pagan FrameworkXXI, The World (The World)III, The Empress & IV, The Emperor (The Goddess & the God)I, The Magician (The Elements)O, The Fool (The Summerlands)

The Court Cards for the As Above, the first deck in the Book of Shadows Tarot, does not have traditional court cards. Instead, we have the Elemental, Maiden, Mother, and Crone.

The Elementals are pretty self-explanatory, and represent the Elementals of Air, Water, Earth, and Fire. The Maiden, Mother, and Crone cards represent the waxing, full, and waning aspects of each element. And so, you see, they are not like the Knight, Queen, and King.

Here are a few details of the Earth court by way of example.

The Maiden of Earth takes her place among the new blossoms of the field. She brings a sense of lightness and gratitude, a joyful appreciation and celebration of everyday blessings.

The Mother of Earth takes her place as Mother Nature, providing a rich harvest. She nourishes our bodies and our souls with the best of Her creation.

The Crone of Earth lays the Earth to rest. Even the Earth must regenerate, and there is a time for everything in this life, including death.

The numbered Minor cards represent different elemental aspects of the pagan universe. The suit of Fire focuses on the wisdom and energy of the heavens and as such depicts astrological wisdom. The suit of Water balances the mostly masculine energy of the planets with various faces of the Goddess. The suit of Air explores different methods of accessing Divine wisdom and guidance through various divinatory methods. The suit of Earth reveals magical sources found on our planet.

Deck AttributesName of deck:The Book of Shadows Tarot, Volume 1: As AboveReviewer's Byline: Barbara MoorePublisher: Lo ScarabeoISBN: 9780738735641Creator(s) name(s): Barbara MooreArtist(s) name(s): Gregorz Krisinsky, Simone Gabrielli, Franco Rivolli, Peotro Scola di MambroName of accompanying book/booklet:The Book of Shadows TarotNumber of pages of book/booklet: 154 pages, all in EnglishAuthor(s) of book/booklet: Barbara MooreAvailable in a boxed kit?: Yes Are there extras in the kit? What are they?: An empty space for The Book of Shadows Tarot, Volume 2: So BelowMagical Uses: All magical purpose, including educationReading Uses: GeneralTheme: PaganismTarot, Divination Deck, or Other: TarotDoes it follow Rider-Waite-Smith Standard?: YesDoes it have extra cards?: NoDoes it have alternate names for Major Arcana cards?: Yes, see full review aboveDoes it have alternate names for the Court Cards?: Yes, see full review aboveWhy was deck created?: To explore the blending of Tarot with Paganism in a way that stretches Tarot and brings a unique perspective.

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